Intel Core i3-3217U

The Intel Core i3-3217U is an ULV-processor for laptops based on the Ivy Bridge architecture released in Q2 2012. Due to Hyperthreading, the two cores can handle up to four threads in parallel leading to better utilization of the CPU. Each core offers a base speed of 1.8 GHz, Turbo Boost is not supported. As its Sandy-Bridge-based predecessors, it offers a 3 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Core i3-3217U is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. Therefore, overall performance is just a bit below the former Core i5-2467M.